Movement and Learning in the Early Years: Supporting Dyspraxia (DCD) and Other Difficulties

`This book achieves what it sets out to do - provide clear guidance to parents and professionals on key aspects of movement in the early years. The book however does more than that - it emphasises that movement in the early years is not the territory of experts, but through the use of this book, the assessment of movement development of activities and programmes are within the range of all - class teachers and parents. I strongly recommend that this book is available in every school′ - Educational Review `This book provides a good overview of issues in movement and development and learning, and will stimulate the interested reader to explore this topic further′ - Early Years `This book will be a useful addition to any primary staff room bookshelf. It is a practical book based on sound theory. It will provide ideas for the non-specialist teacher and for parents anxious to help. The suggestions will provide a good framework for the staged assessment and support for young children for whom there is a cause for concern′ - Support for Learning `For anyone involved in the development of any young child, this should be essential reading. The book is very informative and readable by parents, teachers and students and is simply illustrated with case studies′ - Dyslexia Contact `As a behaviour advisory teacher I will certainly be influenced by reading this, and I know our local occupational therapists would be overjoyed if she knew all teachers read books like this′ - Special Children `It is always good to be able to welcome a book on such a key factor as movement in early childhood development, and this text has been written to support parents and practitioners who wish to understand how movement contributes to all aspects of learning -intellectual, social and emotional, as well as physical′ - Marian Whitehead, Nursery World `This book is an excellent introduction for anybody trying to understand how movement affects child development. It clearly explains the importance movement has on how young children learn and feel. The information and insights in this book can be found elsewhere but I have yet to find such breadth and depth of information on supporting children with movement difficulties as clearly written and accessible as this book′ - Spare-Chair `The book is very informative and readable by parents, teachers and students and amply illustrated with case studies′ - Judith Stansfield, SEN ICT Consultant Movement is a key factor in young children′s development and it can affect how they learn and how they feel. Do you work with young children who have difficulties in this area? This book shows you how to observe a child as they move to allow for early identification of any problem and then tells you how to help. Dyspraxia (DCD) is on the increase in young children and less confident and easy movement can play a part in other specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and with hyperactivity (ADHD). Included is advice on: } observing, analyzing and assessing movement development } building confidence } helping with handwriting } supporting mathematical development Why not ask the child to pop bubble paper as one way of promoting finger awareness? Carefully taught activities can be easy to plan and fun to carry out and there are lots of suggested activities set out in the book. Early years practitioners in nurseries, schools, playgroups and EYDCPs will find this book clear and useful; it also offers advice to parents. Christine Macintyre was formerly Senior Lecturer at Edinburgh University and is now a freelance consultant. Kim McVitty is a nursery school teacher.

Table of Contents:
EARLY INTERVENTION IN MOVEMENT AND LEARNING Part One: Making the Case Development of the Brain Self-Esteem Being Bullied Part Two: Movement and Learning The ABC of Learning - Attention. Balance and Control Differences in Movement Ability The Importance of Movement Ability The Size of the Problem Ways to Help ANALYSING, OBSERVING AND ASSESSING MOVEMENT Part One: Analysing Movement Factors for Analysis Movement Abilities Open and Closed Skills Part Two: Observing and Assessing Movement Assessment Observation Examples of the Process of Assessments Other Factors in Assessment LEARNING AND PERCEPTION Part One: Learning and Movement Constructivism The Pace of New Learning Matching Teaching and Learning Styles Critical Learning Periods Part Two: Perception The Vestibular Sense The Auditory Sense The Tactile Sense The Visual Sense The Senses of Taste and Smell The Proprioceptive Sense The Kinaesthetic Sense Some Questions for Parents to Consider HANDWRITING AND MATHEMATICS - A MOVEMENT PERSPECTIVE Part One: Handwriting A Sense of Hand Preference/Dominance Ability to Recognise/Visualise/Remember the Pattern of the Letter or Word The Strength and Control in Their Shoulder, Arm and Hand The Necessary Movement Abilities Enough Spatial/Kinaesthetic Competence The Correct Resources Enough Space on the Desktop Left-Handed Writers Part Two: Mathematics Conservation Visual Perception Sequencing Difficulties Counting on the Number Rack Spatial Understanding in Different Algorithms Mental Maths The Confusing Language of Mathematics PROGRAMMES OF ACTIVITIES FOR PERCEPTUAL-MOVEMENT PROGRAMMES Introduction Six Golden Rules Fun Ways of Teaching Planning and Organising Movement The Importance of Practice APPENDICES Norms of Development Competences from the Curriculum Guidance Documents The Underlying Factors Influencing Movement A Brief Outline of Specific Learning Difficulties

About the Author :
Christine Macintyre was formerly Senior Lecturer at Edinburgh University and is now a freelance consultant.

Review :
`It is always good to be able to welcome a book on such a key factor as movement in early childhood development, and this text has been written to support parents and practitioners who wish to understand how movement contributes to all aspects of learning -intellectual, social and emotional, as well as physical′ - Marian Whitehead, Nursery World